The Ultimate Yacht Race

The 33rd America’s Cup yacht race gets under way in a week’s time from Valencia in Spain, pitting two of the most hi-tech yachts against in each other in a series of races. The defender is Switzerland’s Alinghi catamaran and the challenger is the US’s BMW Oracle Racing, a stunning trimaran with the world’s largest single wing at over 68m – a 747’s wing is 31m.

There are some great videos on both websites and the cost, complexity and technology on these boats is simply stunning. The winged keels, the composite hulls, everything is being pushed to the limit….and when they go past it, it’s going to be spectacular.

There’s been a fair bit of legal wrangling going on about the race but I’m glad it’s finally going to be settled on the water rather than in the courtroom.